The weekend at the 2024 SBK Portugal round kicked off with FPs where the names of those who would end up being the main protagonists throughout the event already began to stand out. But the most consistent of all would undoubtedly be Danilo Petrucci, who dominated FP2 and FP3, demonstrating that he is in a moment of incredible mental strength, as the Barni rider once again declared that he is still recovering strength in his right arm.
Toprak had a somewhat worrying qualifying session from the outside due to apparent mechanical failures in his BMW, which began to emit smoke from the exhaust in the first two free practice sessions. However, that did not prevent him from setting the fastest lap in FP1.
One of the best in terms of pace was Garrett Gerloff, with his BMW from the Bonovo team, clocking a low 1:41 during the first free practice.
Bulega and Bautista, Toprak’s closest pursuers, did not have a good qualifying session. Bulega started the session with technical problems on his Panigale during FP1 and Bautista, although he finished second in FP2, would end up falling with 4 minutes to go.
Another rider who would also fall, but in Superpole, would be Iker Lecuona. The Spaniard from Honda HRC had managed to be in the Top 6 in FP1 and FP3, but would end up being relegated to the last position on the grid due to not being able to go out on track again after the fall.
SBK Portugal 2024: Superpole
This time, without any technical problems, Toprak set a 1:39’7 to take first place on the starting grid, followed by Alex Lowes, who had been playing a discreet role until he woke up in FP3, also setting the second fastest lap. Third place on the starting grid would go to ‘Petrux’. The rest of the positions would be established as follows:
SBK Portugal 2024: Race 1
The first race of the weekend was the most entertaining of all. Alex Lowes led from the start, followed by Toprak and Petrux, while we saw Alvaro Bautista drop to thirteenth position.
We enjoyed a beautiful first part of the race, full of overtaking moves in the leading group, including an incredible save by Jonathan Rea (Pata Yamaha) when he was fighting for fourth place with Van der Mark (ROKiT BMW). The British rider gradually dropped positions from then on, dropping to fifteenth.
Toprak and Petrucci were fighting for first place in a nice battle until, with 8 laps to go, the BMW driver decided to break away and put enough distance between himself and the racer to take the victory.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
HISTORY MADE! 💫 @toprak_tr54 clinches his 12th consecutive WIN, smashing the all-time record! 🥇#PortugueseWorldSBK 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/p503kWdGJ7
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) August 11, 2024
We left the highlights for last. Álvaro Bautista delighted us with an epic comeback to second place with two laps to go, coming from thirteenth position after his bad start. The Talavera native had tremendous pace, and he made a huge effort to get to where he really belongs.
This is how the final classification for race 1 on Saturday looked like:
SBK Portugal 2024: Superpole Race
Perhaps the most boring race of the weekend. Petrux started out leading the race, chased by Alex Lowes and Toprak, until the Turk decided to go all out again, passing both of them and establishing what would be the final three podium positions.
A dull race with no great things to comment on. Bulega and Bautista finished fifth and sixth respectively, behind a creditable fourth place for Van der Mark, who completed a good weekend.
🃏 @toprak_tr54 wins not only this game, but also the once on track!🏍️💨
The Turk continues his streak!🔥#PortugueseWorldSBK 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/Bpcrl4q4ca
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) August 11, 2024
SBK Portugal 2024: Race 2
The final race of the weekend was a thrilling one, with all eyes once again on Toprak, eager to see if the BMW driver could secure what could be his fourth consecutive triple win.
The race began with a poor start for Petrucci, who dropped to seventh position. Van der Mark, however, managed to lead the race during the first lap, until, at the beginning of the second, Toprak passed him under braking for the first corner. A point where the Turk has demonstrated his mastery with the brakes throughout the weekend.
Later, a collision with Alex Lowes on the home straight tore off the left wing of his BMW, something that probably prevented Toprak from escaping during the race and gave his pursuers the chance to close the gap.
😮WHAT A BATTLE!@toprak_tr54 ⚔️ @19Bautista #PortugueseWorldSBK 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/yNjB5irHoW
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) August 11, 2024
The first to try was Álvaro Bautista, who, once again going from strength to strength during the race, managed to get into battle with the Turk with 5 laps to go, with a disastrous result for the Ducati rider. He ended up falling to the ground at turn 5, trying to recover the line after Toprak pushed him to the limit under braking.
The next to make inroads into the race leader was the other official Ducati, driven by Italian Bulega. The Aruba Racing Team rider seemed to have a bit more grip on the exit of the corners, but in the end he was unable to do anything against Toprak, who braked hard, defending his position as only he knows how. This is the 13th victory of the year for the BMW rider, who now has 54 in total and is only 5 behind Carl Fogarty and 6 behind Álvaro Bautista.
And so ended an ideal weekend for the championship leader, who saw his lead over his pursuers increase by a good number of points and who demonstrated that he was in almost invincible form for the fourth time this year.
From the @Olympics to @AIAPortimao 🎯 A medal-worthy celebration for a new all-time record! 🥇#PortugueseWorldSBK 🇵🇹 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/LOBpOb9oyN
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) August 11, 2024
A jubilant Toprak Razgatlioglu will arrive at the Magny-Cours circuit on September 6, another of his favourite circuits, where the Turk will surely try to extend his magnificent streak a little further.
